Scandal: Corrupt officers in Explosives Department exposed

Fake inspection companies, NOCs for CNG stations involved.

ISLAMABAD:

A scandal involving billions of rupees and the registration of fake third party inspection companies as well as issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for compressed natural gas (CNG) stations, has been unearthed at the Explosives Department and Ministry of Industries. 

The Express Investigation Cell (EIC) has learnt from reliable sources, that ultra vires of the Mineral and Industrial Gases Safety Rules 2010, numerous fake companies conducted third party inspections and gave favourable recommendations to the Explosives Department to issue NOC for relocation or setting up of new CNG stations, between May 2011 and July 2012.

Investigations revealed that connivance between officials at the Ministry of Industries and Explosives Department, allowed a group of profiteers to make inspections and NOC issuance a source of illegal income.

According to sources, corrupt officers charged up to four million rupees for registration of fake third party companies to conduct inspections of new industrial units. Similarly, in order to gain a favourable recommendation and assured issuance of NOC from the Explosives Department, a sum of four hundred thousand rupees was charged from applicants seeking relocation or setting up of a CNG station.

During the tenure of Aziz Bilour, as principal accounting officer at the Ministry of Industries, a committee comprising Joint Secretary Abdul Sattar Khokhar, Chief Explosives Hussain Channa, and Section Officer Qutabuddin was set up to take over the role of issuing licences for registration of third party inspection companies as well as issuance of NOCs by the department.

The committee, which had no legal authority, remained a contentious issue between the Ministry of Industries and the Petroleum Ministry for over one year as the latter refused to accept its legitimacy.

Sources further revealed that officials at the ministry used the committee to gain direct benefits. Three companies, directly linked with Aziz Bilour, were registered for conducting third party assessments during this period.

Haroon Trader owned by Aziz’s nephew Haroon Bilour, Rehman Trader owned by his manager Aziz Rehman, and Gas Guide, a firm on Charsadda Road with fifty per cent partnership of Aziz Bilour. Investigations revealed that during the past one year, almost 70 complaints were received against rampant corruption in the Explosive Department. These complaints were either ignored or hushed up.

Chief Explosive, Hussain Channa, has so far denied all allegations of corruption in his department and claims to have followed department rules of business.

When asked to comment on the story, Secretary of Industries, Shafqat Naghmi said that he has already launched an inquiry into the complaints and anyone involved in the scam would not be spared. It is expected that as a result of the investigation and review of department records, the grievances of complainants will soon be addressed by the Ministry and corrupt officials at the Explosives Department will be brought to justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2012.